Open House Tips for First-Time Homebuyers

It’s the time of year when everyone wants to get out of the house, and if you’re going to be house hunting anytime in the near future, there’s no better excuse to follow those open house signs and hit up the open houses in your neighborhood or the Sioux Falls area neighborhoods you find attractive. 

To help you know what to look for at an open house, we’ve compiled a quick open house checklist and a handful of questions to ask at an open house. It’s especially helpful for first-time homebuyers because an open house – even a virtual open house or a private showing – helps you recognize what you like and don’t like in a house, and it provides you with ideas for future home renovation projects. 

What to wear to an open house:

• Comfortable shoes, as you may be in for a lot of walking.

• Nice casual clothing, as it’s always a good idea to make a good impression and start to build a relationship with the real estate agent who’s there (typically the listing agent/seller’s agent).

What to bring to an open house:

• Your buyer’s agent, especially if you’re making a tour of multiple open houses. Your feedback as you walk through will help refine the homebuying process.

• A notebook (or use your phone) for details that jump out at you or concerns, especially if you’re scouring lots of real estate or attending other open houses.

• Your phone or camera for photos (ask permission first).

• A tape measure if you have specific space requirements.
• A mortgage pre-approval, which helps you identify your budget and demonstrates to sellers that you’re serious and financially prepared, which can be advantageous in competitive markets.

What to look for in an open house:

• Are there structural problems with the foundation or a retaining wall?

• What condition are the appliances, flooring, heating, air conditioning, yard, and roof in?

• Look beyond the fresh paint for water stains or mold on ceilings or under sinks, and take note of any smells that may be masking something troubling.

• Is there adequate cabinet space, storage space, and closets?

• Is the room size large enough to meet your family’s needs?

• How many windows are there? What’s the view from them? What direction do they face?

• Do the light switches work? Are there enough electrical outlets?

• What are the neighbors like?

What to ask at an open house:

• How’s the neighborhood and nearby schools, shopping, parks, and recreation facilities?

• Why are the current homeowners selling?

• What problems does the house have? (South Dakota requires that prospective buyers receive a disclosure statement about the property’s condition.)

• How much is the asking price, and has it changed since being placed on the market?

• How long has the house been on the market, and have there been any offers?

• How much are utilities?

• When was the house built, and when were the major updates?

• What’s included with the house?

• Are there HOA regulations or fees?

What to do before you leave (or not do):

• Sign in, even if you already have a buyer’s agent.

• Assess whether the house meets all your needs.

• Observe the number of attendees and their engagement levels during the open house. A high turnout may indicate strong interest, which could influence the urgency and competitiveness of an offer.

• Don’t expose too much personal information about yourself, like your goals, finances, eagerness to become a home buyer. (Save them for your agent and the negotiation process.)
• Provide your contact information (or your real estate agent’s info) if you see yourself as a potential buyer.
• Schedule a prompt follow-up with your agent to discuss impressions, ask further questions, or express interest. Timely follow-up can be crucial in fast-moving markets.

Equipped with all those answers and open house ideas, you’ll be able to better prioritize your goals and non-negotiables as a potential homebuyer (and better articulate them to your real estate agent), and you’ll eventually make a much more informed decision about whether or not to make an offer. And if you have questions about next steps, check out our answers to some of the most common homebuyer questions.